Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
HARRISON, New Jersey (AP) — Australia midfielder Tim Cahill says he is leaving the New York Red Bulls and Major League Soccer after two years to join Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua.
The 35-year-old Cahill has a year to run on his contract but has reached an agreement with New York to leave early and become a free agent. The attacking midfielder scored 14 goals during his MLS stay.
"I've enjoyed every moment of my time at the Red Bulls and leave with great memories. I joined with the ambition of helping to grow and positively affect soccer in the U.S. and I feel immensely proud of what we achieved as a team during my time in the MLS," he said.
Cahill, who has played for Everton and Millwall in the English Premier League, said joining Shanghai would offer him a fresh challenge.
"I've done the Premier League, I've done America," he said. "New York was amazing for me ... (but) China is a growing market in football. I'm at an age where I want to give something back to football and still play at a high level.
"It's all about doing what I want to do as footballer and trying different leagues, and I think it's exciting."
Cahill signed with New York as a designated player in July 2012, and he played a major role the following season in helping the Red Bulls win the Supporter's Shield, scoring seven of his 11 goals and setting up two others in the final 11 games.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
